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SAVANNAH STATE SHALL BE A WIN-WIN DEVELOPMENT: GOV. ZULUM SHOULD ALLOW THE PROCESS TO RUN ITS COURSE

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SAVANNAH STATE SHALL BE A WIN-WIN DEVELOPMENT: GOV. ZULUM SHOULD ALLOW THE PROCESS TO RUN ITS COURSE

By: A.G.Abubakar

As your Excellency may have been aware, the drums of state creation are being beaten left, right and centre. Expectedly, the perennial agitators once more are in the arena. The current number is about 31 enclaves, with the major ones being Katagum (Bauchi), Ghari (Kano), New Kaduna (Kaduna), Ogoja (Cross Rivers), Oke-Ogun (Oyo), Kainji (Niger), Adada ((Enugu), Amana, (Adamawa), Okura, Okun (Kogi), Orlu (Imo), Warri (Delta), Apa (Benue) and many more have been dusting their memorandum for resubmission.

One hopes the Movements are not overlooking the provisions of Section 8 of the Constitution that deals with the creation of new state (s) in Nigeria. In any case, it is the people’s right to live out their idiosyncrasies as deem fit so long as they are within the Constitutional bounds. For the people of Southern Borno, the current initiative towards having a Savannah State would be the sixth in the series. The first serious requests were made in 1989, 1991, 2014, 2021 and now in the year 2025. Others like Ogoja and Katagum have longer history.

The yearning for a new state ordinarily should be a welcome development for both mother and baby – the new and the old entities. Given the primordial considerations that govern politics and the winner-takes- all syndrome, people tend to feel that their interests can be better catered for through a polity in which they have a voice. This may be misplaced or even an anathema to democratic tenets, but it is the reality of Nigeria politics, all the same.

In Nigeria, it would seem that, only through state creation would development be devolved to the grassroots. Imagine, Your Excellency, if such towns like Damaturu, Gombe, Jimeta-Yola, Jalingo, and Bauchi were still local government headquarters under either the North East state that was created in 1967. Or their plights and pace of development under defunct Borno, Gongola, and Bauchi. Consider the universities, the polytechnics, the specialist hospitals, the airports, and the urban transformations that come with being a state in Nigeria. These seems to be the attraction. So when people agitate for Savannah State, it doesn’t mean they love current Borno less, but they appreciate development more. Not many might appreciate this subtle nuances, but that’s the bottom line.

Some state governments understood the raison d’tre of the demand for the curving out of additional states from the existing ones. Bauchi government accorded the Katagum State movement the necessary support. Ogun State did the same thing and more, by “allowing” the Awujale of Ijebu land to take his request for Ijebu State to Aso Rock in Abuja. Even Kano State never stood in the way of Tiga or Gari state movements .This brotherly support seems to be lacking on the part of Borno power brokers. The last outing by the Savannah State Movement was almost marred by the subterranean influence of the government. For, it will beat imagination for a deputy speaker of Borno State Assembly, an expected beneficiary of the new state ,to rise up and voice the fact that Borno State was not interested in having a new state. People who know the working of government and politics understand the gentleman was acting on a script, based on misplaced fears.

A new state in Borno is going to be a win-win development. The stock shall be left with 19 LGAs. A number far higher than Abia 17, Bayelsa 8, Cross Rivers 18, Ebonyi 13, Edo 18, Ekiti 16, Enugu 17, Gombe 11, Kwara 16, Nasarawa 13, Ondo 18, Plateau 17, Taraba 16, Yobe 17, and Zamfara 14. In terms of economic dispositions, the border economies with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon present huge opportunities for trade and commerce. The economic potential of the Lack Chad and its basin are equally enormous. Furthermore, should the Southern part of Borno state move away, the residual manpower left behind would be more than that of Zamfara, Kebbi, and even Bayelsa at the point of creation in 1991, including population size which is estimated to 3.5 million. Maiduguri, the state capital, has an unsuitable stock of physical infrastructure that can drive development in the foreseeable future.

The Savannah counterpart shall be a state comprised of 9 LGAs with a population that is above two (2) million. It’s going to be a state in the league of Bayelsa with 8 LGAs and slightly less than Gombe and Ebonyi with 11 and 13 Councils respectively. It would be statesmanly for His Excellency to lend support to the people’s legitimate aspiration, for whatever its worth. In the same vein, an unambivalent posture by the state would free the traditional rulers in Southern Borno from the tight corner they normally found themselves anytime there is a state creation exercises on the horizon. They are usually caught between their subjects, who were largely pro state crreation and the state government’s tacit disapproval. A disposition that is unnecessary given the fact that such exercises are guided by Constitutional provisions.

As for the Savannah state, if it all happens, you would have gotten rid of a “restive” segment of your polity for good. Before too long, the teething problems of the Savannah state shall come to the fore unless the pioneer leadership happens to be a visionary one. And also a just one, in the light of the region’s diversity. But that’s going to be their cup of tea, Your Excellency, not yours.

In the light of the foregoing, let the Borno state government lend its support to the Savannah State Movement (SSM). After all, the euphoria so generated could just turn out to be diversionary move by the National Assembly away from the crushing economic hardships Nigerians are currently facing.

The state Deputy Governor, His Excellency Umar U. Kadafur, Senator representing Borno South, House of Representatives members Hons. Mukhtari Betara, Midala Balami Usman, and Jaha, along with their counterparts in the State Assembly, are kindly called upon to heed the yearnings of the people to have their memorandum on state creation pushed. They should forge a bi-partisan front to engage with the government to allow the region’s aspiration to play out. Besides, there is a popular adage that says that “the only bad request is the one that is never made.” Or rather “the only bad desire is the one that is never expressed” Let the request be and be supported too.

SAVANNAH STATE SHALL BE A WIN-WIN DEVELOPMENT: GOV. ZULUM SHOULD ALLOW THE PROCESS TO RUN ITS COURSE

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Bandits ambush security team along Kuzuntu grazing reserve in Kaduna, Policeman killed

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Bandits ambush security team along Kuzuntu grazing reserve in Kaduna, Policeman killed

By: Zagazola Makama

A combined security team was ambushed by armed men along the Kuzuntu axis of Anchau, Kubau Local Government Area, resulting in the death of a policeman and injuries to others.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that at about 1455 hours on 3 December 2025, a team of security forces comprising of Nigerian Army, police, KADVS operatives, and local vigilantes on assignment at the government grazing reserve in Kuzuntu.

The team was on a request from the Kubau Local Government Council Chairman to accompany staff of an Agro Industry and local officials to take measurements of the grazing area.

The exercise was successfully completed; however, on their return, the team was ambushed by armed men suspected to be bandits.

Police Constable Sunday Ishaya was fatally shot, while several military personnel sustained injuries. The victims were rushed to a hospital for medical attention, where PC Ishaya was certified dead, and the injured are responding to treatment.

The deceased was deposited at General Hospital, Ikara.

Bandits ambush security team along Kuzuntu grazing reserve in Kaduna, Policeman killed

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Insecurity: NEC Approves N100bn For Rehabilitation Of Security Agencies’ Training Institutions

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Insecurity: NEC Approves N100bn For Rehabilitation Of Security Agencies’ Training Institutions

*VP Shettima says economic reforms must deliver visible impact to Nigerians across states

By: Our Reporter

The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the sum of N100 billion, subject to a final ratification by President Bola Tinubu, for rehabilitation of training institutions for police and other security agencies in Nigeria.

This followed recommendations by the adhoc committee earlier constituted to assess the state of police and security agencies’ training institution nationwide.

At its 154th meeting held virtually on Wednesday, NEC also approved the sum of and N2.6 billion for consultancy services for the project.

President Tinubu had at the 152nd meeting of NEC in October, proposed the overhaul and revamp of training institutions for security agencies nationwide.

Chairman of the adhoc committee, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, had in his presentation to Council, underscored the urgency and significance of the condition of the training facilities, saying most of the training institutions are in dire condition.

Following the presentation by the Governor, the Chairman of NEC, Vice President Kashim Shettima, reaffirmed the commitment of government to address the situation.

VP Shettima also charged governors of the 36 states of the federation to ensure that economic reforms by the state governments translate into clear, measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.

Noting that governance is meaningful only when citizens can feel its impact, the Vice President particularly urged all tiers of government to focus on execution rather than rhetoric.

He said the era of policy without results must give way to governance defined by tangible outcomes in communities across the country.

“Our task is not to admire problems, but to solve them. Not to explain challenges, but to overcome them. And not to hope for progress, but to engineer it.

“Today’s agenda speaks to our shared responsibility to build a nation where reforms translate into results, and where policies are not mere promises but convincing instruments of change felt in the markets, schools, clinics and farms across our federation,” the VP said.

Highlights of the meeting are follows:

NEC (7TH IN 2025) 154TH MEETING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3RD, 2025

UPDATES

The Accountant-General of the Federation gave update to Council on the under listed accounts as follows:

  1. EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT (ECA)

Balance as at November, 2025 – $525,823.39

  1. STABLIZATION ACCOUNT

Balance as at November, 2025 – N71,647,494,101.12

  1. NATURAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT

Balance as at November, 2025 – N79,252,769,532.35

PRESENTATION BY NEC AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON THE UPDATE ON POLIO ERADICATION

The presentation to Council was made by the Chairman, Governor of Gombe State

Council noted that Since the NEC Ad-Hoc Committee on Polio was inaugurated earlier this year, the Committee has met four times—between June and November 2025. Each meeting has deepened political commitment, strengthened coordination, and ensured that states remain firmly engaged in the national push to interrupt the remaining variant poliovirus transmission.

Progress to date
Council noted that :

As of Week 47, Nigeria has recorded 73 cases of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) this year—a 39% reduction from the 119 cases recorded during the same period in 2024. Six priority states account for 63% of total cases, with the majority coming from Sokoto (23), Zamfara (9), Kebbi (7), Gombe (2), Kano (3), and Katsina (2).

Of particular note is the progress made in the two states that have historically carried the highest burden:

a. Kano has achieved a 94% decline in cases compared to last year.

b. Katsina has recorded an 88% decline.

  • 13 new detections—12 cVPV2 and 1 cVPV3—have been confirmed across the country. Notably:

a. Gombe detected its first cases of the year—one in Dukku LGA (Acute Flaccid Paralysis) and one in Gombe LGA (environmental surveillance).

b. Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Nasarawa and Zamfara have also reported new cases, highlighting the need for intensified action.

First phase of the integrated Measles–Rubella, HPV, and Polio campaign across 20 northern states and Oyo. That exercise delivered meaningful gains:

i. 83% of all planned settlements were reached with geo-evidence.

ii. 92% and 95% of targeted children received the MR vaccine polio vaccine

iii. LQAS results showed 85% pass for MR and 86% for polio

  • In the six priority states:

i. Kano, Katsina, and Gombe passed LQAS, showing strong campaign quality.

ii. Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara did not meet the 80% threshold for LQAS, and revaccination conducted in the affected LGAs

A new round of nOPV2 campaigns will commence this December. The implementation will occur in two blocs:

i. Bloc A (12 northern states)—including Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara

ii. Bloc B (9 northern states)—including Gombe

  • This round is critical. It presents an opportunity for us to close remaining immunity gaps before year-end

Resolution:

i. Deputy Governors across the implementing states are encouraged to convene State Taskforce Meetings ahead of the campaign

  • State Governments are urged to work closely with security agencies to support safe access for vaccination teams, particularly in settlements affected by insecurity or hard-to-reach terrain.
  • LGA Chairmen should be fully involved in campaign oversight by chairing the Evening Review Meetings (ERMS), where daily performance is assessed, bottlenecks identified, and corrective measures taken in real time.

UPDATE ON THE STAKEHOLDERS’ MEETING ON THE COST AND AVAILABILITY OF DOMESTIC GAS BY THE MINISTER OF PETROLEUM (GAS)

The Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo made a presentation on the cost and availability of domestic gas, particularly the payment of outstanding obligations to gas producers to encourage increased production and supply for domestic consumption.

Gas producers have a cumulative debt claim of $1bn for gas supplied to the power sector as far back as 2011 and ₦185bn (78%) of the total naira-denominated debt claims has been validated by submissions made by NNPC Gas Marketing Ltd (NGML) and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC); the variance is largely driven by NEPL’s claims against its GenCo customers and unreported claims against NGML by Shell, Seplat Energy and NUIMS.

His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on 4th April 2024, granted approval to urgently settle the ₦185 billion naira validated debt owed to gas producers through future oil and gas royalty deductions.

Following the transmission of the Presidential approval to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the NUPRC has engaged with the six (6) gas producers and agreed on a royalty deduction schedule.

Resolution:

Council commended the initiative and efforts of the committee, given Nigeria’s status as a largely gas nation.

It approved the committee’s prayers to among other things, concur with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the payment of outstanding obligations to the tune of ₦185 billion to gas producers to ensure improved supply of gas for domestic production.

Insecurity: NEC Approves N100bn For Rehabilitation Of Security Agencies’ Training Institutions

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NSCDC Intensifies Anti-Corruption Fight, Inaugurates New Heads of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit

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NSCDC Intensifies Anti-Corruption Fight, Inaugurates New Heads of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reinforced its commitment to combating corruption by inaugurating new heads of its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) and unveiling a robust Corruption Prevention Strategy.

Commandant General (CG) of NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi on Wednesday charged the newly inaugurated ACTU heads to lead by example, enforce compliance without fear or favour, and resist undue pressure by upholding the values of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

The CG, represented by the Deputy Commandant General (Administration), DCG Adeyinka Ayinla, delivered the keynote address at a one-day sensitization workshop, inauguration ceremony, and integrity award event held at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.

Audi stated that the new NSCDC Corruption Prevention Strategy is designed to reduce misconduct, promote due process, and reinforce internal discipline within the Corps. He applauded the support of President Bola Tinubu, through the Minister of Interior, Honourable Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu, stressed that corruption undermines service delivery, erodes public confidence, distorts development priorities, and weakens the security architecture of a nation.

Aliyu, represented by Mr. Olusegun Adigun, assured the NSCDC of the Commission’s continued partnership in championing preventative measures across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and appreciated the Corps for its strong anti-corruption posture.

Earlier, the Chairman of the NSCDC ACTU, Acting Commandant Audrey Obeh, described the gathering as a “transformative moment” and a testament to the Corps’ dedication to integrity and national development. She commended the Commandant General for his visionary leadership, which has provided an enabling platform for the ACTU to thrive.

“The inauguration of ACTU Heads, integrity awards, and unveiling of the NSCDC corruption prevention strategy all demonstrate how we are intentionally strengthening the pillars of accountability within our system,” Commandant Obeh stated.

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of integrity awards to deserving officers and staff.

The CG of NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, received the Integrity Champion and Visionary Award.

The erstwhile Chairman of NSCDC ACTU, Commandant of Corps Remi Ekundayo, bagged the Distinguished ACTU Chairperson Emeritus Award.

Other recipients included ASCII Amanze Abraham Onyedikachi (ACTU Integrity, Ethics and Compliance Award), and CSC Aremu Rafiu (Kwara State Command), CSC Akinwande Adesola Comfort (Oyo State Command), SC Umar Abubakar Ladan (Borno State Command), and SC Yusuf Ibrahim Yusuf (Jigawa State Command), who all received the ACTU Outstanding Performance and Distinguished Service Award.

Goodwill messages were also delivered by representatives from sister agencies, including the Controller General of Immigration, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

NSCDC Intensifies Anti-Corruption Fight, Inaugurates New Heads of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit

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